Thread: Gunfire Erupts During Cockfight; 1 Man Killed, 1 Wounded

Not certain of the immigration status of the individuals involved.

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Gunfire Erupts During Fort Bend Cockfight; 1 Man Killed, 1 Wounded
by Bob Dunn, Sep 03, 2006, 03 06 pm


One man was killed and a second wounded Saturday night after an argument erupted at a cockfight in rural Fort Bend County.

Jose Alfredo Morales, 32, of Los Fresnos, was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in the back, according to Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Terriann Carlson. Jose Ramon Jauregue, 23, of Corpus Christi, was shot in the leg and abdomen, and was transported by life-flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where he was in stable condition on Sunday.

Sheriff’s detectives are looking for a man driving a late-model black Chevrolet Silverado who is suspected in the shooting, according to sheriff’s reports.

The incident began during a cockfight attended by about 100 people, held in the 6600 block of Beard Road in southern Fort Bend County, about a mile west of Brazos Bend State Park.

At about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, an argument broke out over which rooster won one of the fights, a sheriff’s report stated. “The suspect, irate, displayed an unknown type firearm and began shooting at two victims. The two victims fled the area toward a vehicle.” Morales was shot in the back and had died by the time sheriff’s deputies arrived at 10:07 p.m.

The sheriff’s report described the suspect only as “Rudy.” He was last seen leaving the scene of the shooting in the Silverado, and is described as an Hispanic man in his late 20s, with short black hair, and very muscular build, about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds. He was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. According to the sheriff’s report, the man has a tattoo on his right bicep, of an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth, as depicted on the Mexican flag.

Carlson said the site of the cockfight was remote and wooded. All that could be seen from the roadway was a gate, and sheriff’s deputies had to knock the gate down to gain entry and search for more shooting victims.

None were found, however, deputies discovered several dead roosters. They also found four “injured birds with razors, that had to be put down,” and eight roosters in cages, which were turned over to Fort Bend County Animal Control employees, according to the sheriff’s report.

As of Sunday, no one had been charged in connection with the cockfight, Carlson said.

The practice – which involves pitting specially bred roosters against each other and betting on the outcome – is illegal in Texas and most states. However, cockfighting is usually prosecuted on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in Texas, and attending a cockfight is not illegal.

“It’s around. It happens, but I don’t think it’s any great problem” in Fort Bend County, Carlson said of cockfighting. Fort Bend Sheriff’s investigators are proceeding with the shooting investigation, while Carlson said animal control officers and officials from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will investigate the cockfighting.

Sheriff’s investigators are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of the suspect in Saturday night’s shooting to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 281-342-TIPS, or Fort Bend County Emergency Communications at 281-341-4665.

Sketch released of cockfight shooting suspect

04:45 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 5, 2006

From 11 News Staff Reports



Investigators hope the public can help them track down a suspect wanted for shooting two men after a cockfight in Fort Bend County.

If you recognize this man, call the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department.

It happened September 2 in Needville where about 100 people had gathered to watch the illegal cockfight.

Witnesses say some men argued over which bird won the fight and that's when the suspect pulled out a gun and started shooting.

Jose Alfredo Morales, 32, was shot in the back area and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jose Ramon Jauregue, 23, suffered gunshot wounds to the leg and abdomen area. He was transported by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Deputies found several dead and injured birds at the scene and some of them had to be put down.

The suspect has a tattoo on his right bicep.

The suspect was seen leaving the scene in a late model black Chevrolet Silverado.

He is known only as “Rudy. He's described as Hispanic, late 20s, short black hair, very muscular build, 5’11," 220 pounds and was seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

Rudy also has a tattoo on his right bicep of an Eagle, which is perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth, as displayed on the Mexico Flag.

Investigators are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of Rudy to please call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers 281-342-TIPS.

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Richmond Man Busted For Saturday Night Cockfight Killing
by Bob Dunn, Sep 07, 2006, 11 26 am




Fort Bend County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a Richmond-area man for the shooting death of Jose Alfredo Morales, who was gunned down at a cockfight Saturday night.
Eduardo Pena Ceja

Eduardo Pena Ceja, 32, of the 4900 block of Riverwood Drive, just west of Richmond city limits, was arrested at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, shortly after investigators, led by Detective Michael Kubricht, conducted a search of his home.

A sheriff’s spokeswoman said Ceja was arrested without incident, charged with murder and is in Fort Bend County Jail in Richmond under $100,000 bond.

Morales, 32, of Los Fresnos, was pronounced dead Saturday night, at the scene of a cockfight in a remote wooded area about a mile west of Brazos Bend State Park.

Another man, Jose Ramon Jauregue, 23, of Corpus Christi, was shot in the leg and abdomen, and was transported by life-flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where he was in stable condition on Sunday. Carlson said the sheriff’s department hasn’t yet charged Ceja with Jauregue’s wounding.

According to sheriff’s reports earlier this week, the shootings occurred during a cockfight attended by about 100 people, held in the 6600 block of Beard Road in southern Fort Bend County.

At about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, an argument broke out over which rooster won one of the fights, a sheriff’s report stated. “The suspect, irate, displayed an unknown type firearm and began shooting at two victims. The two victims fled the area toward a vehicle.” Morales was shot in the back and had died by the time sheriff’s deputies arrived at 10:07 p.m.

Deputies searched the area, including a makeshift fighting arena, observed several dead birds, had to euthanize four injured birds and seized eight roosters in cages, which were turned over to animal control employees.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright said some aspects of cockfighting, such as possible cruelty to animals and “the betting and wagering” is illegal, but charges aren’t commonly brought.

In the case of Saturday’s cockfight, the landowner would likely claim that he was unaware the event occurred on his property. However, “if you’ve got a guy standing at the gate charging admission, then yes,” arrests would be likely. Such cases have occurred, Wright said.